Early birds could

lose the worm

u B ?i A 9 1S kee P in g silent on the part it will play in the development of the resort complex planned by the Fijian- Mocambo Hotel group for Natadola beach, one of only two beaches in the dominion with any surf.

Qantas and BOAC have bought into the group but the part they will play is, at present, somewhat shadowy. BOAC’s first semi-official contact with the project came early n July when its chairman, Mr. Keith Granville took a quick glance at ne beach during a stopover on his irst trip to Australia.

But, he was a little non-committal ater when PIM asked him about the nsit.

Yes, he said, he had looked at ne land but there were no firm Hans— -especially at this time. Why at this time” he didn’t say. When isked if BOAC had plans to play a

big part, like other airlines, in the Islands’ hotel and tourist resort industry, Mr. Granville said, “Our policy is to support hotel develop ment in territories where it is not being sufficiently actively dealt with by the hotel industry itself. Our entry is at very selective points and in a selective way.”

Mr. Granville was much more ex pansive when it came to discussing air fares. If he, and BOAC, get their way, there’ll be an “Early Bird” scheme of cheaper fares on the London to Sydney route next year.

“Early Bird” for the benefit of the noncognoscenti, is a fare plan the very opposite of the “Fly Now, Pay Later” one. You pay your money and book your seat several months before you intend to travel. The worm you get as an early bird is a 30 per cent, to 40 per cent, reduction in the existing economy class fare.

There’s one small snag, though.

If you can’t travel on the date booked you lose. There’s no cancellation and no refund.

If the International Air Transport Association agrees to the scheme for the trans-Atlantic route, then BOAC will try to introduce it on the Kangaroo route.